Henry Curran, of the Dull Men’s Club (UK), poses the following:
Could you settle a dispute between my wife and me please as to whether my conduct in the situation I’ll describe was appropriate.
Some years ago we were driving along a quiet road in Devon and I saw a man standing in front of his car, the bonnet of which was open, and holding the ends of a pair of jump leads, the other ends of which appeared to be connected to his car. It was obvious what he needed. He knew what he was doing and had the requisite equipment. He was just lacking a supply of electricity such as the one I happened to be driving. I pulled up with my bonnet as close to his as possible, and pulled the bonnet release lever. He opened the bonnet, connected his jump leads, started his car with no difficulty, disconnected the leads, closed my bonnet and gave me a thumbs up. I reversed then drove away giving him a cheery wave. We didn’t exchange any words and kept our communication to a thumbs up gesture and a cheery wave.
Now to my mind this was a model of friendly efficiency. It was helpful and avoided any unnecessary excitement. It maintained as much dullness as possible and both got him on his way and allowed us to continue on ours with only the very briefest of interruptions.
My wife feels that it was heartless and unfriendly. She thinks I should have got out, asked him how he was and had a bit of a natter. I’m not sure what we should have nattered about though.
So please, your views… was this friendly efficiency or cold-hearted rudeness?
There were 134 comments. As always, I will choose from among the dullest.
Bob Farrer: Divorce her.
Liam Power: Good grief, human interaction? No thanks!
Daniel North: “Some years ago?” Is she still going on about it?
Bt Humble: Just say you’re sorry. You’re a married man, you should know this by now.
Fraser Mackie: Like a Haiku in its simplicity, yet deeply meaningful. Hat doffed.
Michael James: The epitome of the difference between men and women right there!
Ruth Hunt: My husband would have done exactly the same…..even if it had been me that he helped.
Jon Bird: Imagine if it had a been a charming woman who was holding the jump leads and you helped start the car, all the while chatting about this and that, and she gives you a sexy ”thank youuu..” when done. Would wifey had been so keen on communication..?
Chris Ball: I’d have been very wary of approaching him as he was obviously just wanting to start something!
Alan Briggs: I’m too dull to read all of that….However in my experience I will side with the wife. I don’t know the situation but I learnt that the wife is always right.
Linda Hurst: It seems men get far more chatty when out and about once they retire! Now 2 women would probably have exchanged life histories in that time.
Anne Warner: Definitely! I come home from taking the dog for a walk and come back knowing a complete stranger’s life history. Hubbie takes the dog and probably just says ‘morning’ to anyone he meets. He says I like to know the ins and outs of a duck’s arse!
Robin Armstrong: That’s the most perfect human interaction I’ve ever heard about.
Sam Shamus Mwaura: Why couldn’t she get out and natter? If she feels your nonverbal but completely functional level of communication is lacking, perhaps, as your life partner and spouse, she could handle that side of things.
The risk though, is that the other chap’s wife would step out and then you would feel obliged to, and next thing you know you’re going on English Heritage castle tours, and then they try to induct you into a questionable religious society, and will be coming round yours every week for a natter and catchup. Stay in the car… or drive on and don’t make eye contact if you want to play it extra safe.
Regarding the above — the best definition I’ve heard of the difference between a man and a woman is this: If it came down to a choice between catching a fly ball or saving the life of a baby, a woman will go for the baby without even considering if there are men on base.
A special Owl Chatter shout out to Riley Leonard, Notre Dame quarterback who led the Irish to a dramatic win over Penn State in the Orange Bowl last night. He’s from Fairhope, Alabama, as is his girlfriend Molly, who was his high school sweetheart. Yup, the quarterbacks always get the pretty ones. She’s in college at Auburn. After the Penn State game, he was desperate to find her. He was holding four oranges in his hands and was intent on giving her one. “She loves oranges,” he explained.
This poem by Ted Kooser is one of my favorites from Winter Morning Walks.
Horsetail cirrus miles above,
stretched all the way from Yankton to Wichita.
I stoop on the road, small man in coat and cap,
tying his shoe.
A curled, brown leaf lies on its back,
lifting its undistinguished edges
into the glory of frost.
Good night, Chatterheads! So glad you could pop by.
The Wellington Files 